SA Fashion Week 2014!

South African Fashion Week better known as SAFW took place a few days ago with first having a welcoming get-together; at a star-studded official opening party hosted by Jameson Select Reserve that attracted South Africa’s A-list celebrities, magazine editors, bloggers basically fashion-enthused individuals who also wanted to make their own prestigious mark and to be recognized by SA’s fashion masses. SA Fashion Week is briefly about showcasing South African talent through threads, an event that provides local designers a platform for them to launch their coveted-latest collections to buyers and the media in runway shows. And with all this happening of course, One gets to see a whole dynamic of how fashion week really works without forgetting the whimsical splendor, the ambiance and just the atmosphere present.

Keeping away from the parties and actually focusing mainly about the clothing, A week bursting of everything fashion, trends and luxury commenced on the 2^nd till the 8^th of April featuring installations and shows like the sheer glamour show by motions and TRESemme followed by Gert-Johan Coetzee, Lunar, Rubicon, Joel Janse van Vuuren, Vino, Black Coffee, CUTTERIER by Laz Yani - crystals by Swarovski and Clive Rundle. With just a quick-reflect on one of South Africa’s most loved fashion designers currently Jacques van der Watts for Black Coffee also showcased his Spring/Summer collection at SAFW that always seems to embrace a distinctive feel, a contrast and re-shapes traditions that result in a familiar yet refreshingly uniquely created collection. Another proudly South African fashion designer who’s influence in the fashion industry has multiplied at a wide-spread acclaim and is respected for his work is Gert Johan Coetzee; having to dress international celebrities, local celebrities as well as pageant queens his work has earned him a title of being South Africa’s Designer of the year! He’s collections are inspired by the red carpet style look as well as featuring his signature look of incorporating metal silver and gold belts on to his garments.

I presume the best part of SA Fashion Week are the installations, it’s always a great experience having to stand there, gasp, to be inspired and to peruse the designs, trying to understand what the designer is really trying to say to you through their plethora of coveted artsy pieces, Installations grants you exactly that and once again Black Coffee featured an installation as well as Cloche on the second night of SAFW. There’s a certain way how installations can be thought provoking and can introduce a distinct emotion, a contrast from the vibe and atmosphere in a runway show. Installations are evocative in a way where you get to understand the detail, the fabric and what the designer was really thinking when creating the collection. Let’s keep on supporting SA Fashion designers; having mediums like South African Fashion Week that help in introducing new blood in the most competitive industry is delighting enough for us fashion forward individuals who want to see the growth and development towards fashion here in South Africa.

IMAGES: Jerri Mokgofe Photography